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Success Stories

A mother and three daughters pose around a dining room table. There are lace curtains and blue wall in the background and some dishes on the table in the foreground.

“This is Home” – A Family Finds Their Forever Home in Calais, Maine

One of the first rooms Heather Gagne and her daughters began redecorating in their new home is the dining room, shown in the top photo. They have been busy repainting and making other updates. Raising a family in coastal Machias, Maine may sound lovely, but for Heather Gagne recent years proved stressful. There were few housing options in the Downeast community, and Heather was glad to find a rental home to…
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Use the filters below to find additional stories about how our programs have helped rural communities across the nation.

Search Results: 141 Stories
Jan Riggins Photos

Living the American Dream of Homeownership in Aberdeen, SD

It was nearly ten years ago when Jan Riggins suffered a big financial loss with losing her business and her home. In that timeframe, she moved at least seven times from various rental properties because the owners either sold the homes or moved back to live in the… [Read More]
South Dakota
Homeownership
Alicia and her son, Sy, outside their new home

Central KY mom overcomes tough real estate market

Buying a house in the current market here in Central Kentucky requires a lot of patience and perseverance. Houses are often sold within a day or two of being listed, and gone are the days of negotiating the price down and having the seller pay closing costs. In the year plus… [Read More]
Kentucky
Homeownership
Joni Evans with her partner, Gunnar Grip

Dog Saves His Human From Fire in Forks

Joni Evans of Forks, WA lost her home to a fire in June 2014.  She narrowly escaped with her life thanks to her dog, Gunnar Grip.  Gunnar woke Joni up by barking and knocking her out of her chair, with only moments to spare before the house was fully engulfed.… [Read More]
Washington
Homeownership
The Chavez Family were living in a cramped basement apartment before they were able to build their own home in Salem with nine other families. Now they can enjoy the open space provided by their new home.

Family Gains Independence with ADA Compliant Home

Elisa Chavez and her husband Martin Hernandez were living in a small basement apartment with their seven children. While living there, Martin sustained an injury from an accidental fall, requiring him to use a wheelchair. This injury made their family more aware of the need for… [Read More]
Utah
Homeownership
Amanda and her family in front of their new home

A Single Mom's Road to Homeownership

As a single mother raising two little boys in Kalispell Mont., Amanda D. wanted to purchase a home for her family. But, with a modest income and skyrocketing housing costs, this dream seemed to be out of reach."Trying to buy a home with any traditional mortgage, it would just… [Read More]
Montana
HomeownershipHousing
Family with No Previous Building Experience Builds Self-Help Home in 8 Months, Despite Family Health Crisis

Family with No Previous Building Experience Builds Self-Help Home in 8 Months, Despite Family Health Crisis

In Salem, Utah, Joseph, and Alyssa Thornton are parents of a young growing family of five and have more than their fair share of daily challenges. Despite their challenges, the Thornton’s participated in the USDA Rural Development’s Mutual Self-Help program, building their home… [Read More]
Utah
Homeownership
The Hodgdon Family stand on their front porch

Homeownership Keeps Family Close to Their Coastal Heritage

Thanks to the USDA Rural Development Single-Family Direct Housing Program, the Hodgdon family has an affordable home they love in Boothbay Harbor, a community their family has lived in for generations. Jacob Hodgdon, his fiancé Shelby, and their two children Graycin, age five,… [Read More]
Maine
Homeownership
The LaRue Family sits on the steps of their new home

Oh Baby! Homeownership Dreams Do Come True

Little eleven-month-old Katie LaRue will never remember the struggles of her family to find the perfect home in rural Maine. She will grow up with her own room and a large yard to play in. For her Mom, Monique, Dad, Jesse, and her four siblings, they will always appreciate how… [Read More]
Maine
Homeownership
New Homeowner Kate McGowan with flowers

Homeownership is “Life Changing” for Cherryfield Woman

There is nothing quite like the glow of a proud new homeowner. For Kate McGowan, her new home in Cherryfield is everything she ever dreamed of. Kate, whose life’s journey has taken her from far Northern Maine where she was born, thousands of miles away to California, and back… [Read More]
Maine
Homeownership
Sherry Parker poses for a photo by the construction of her new home in Northern Calirfornia. Parker lost her home during the devastation of the Camp Fire in 2018. (USDA Courtesy Photo)

Rural Development helps family find home after Camp Fire

Sherry Parker was single mother to three children when devastation rained down. California’s Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history, and the most expensive natural disaster in the world in 2018 in terms of insured losses, devoured their… [Read More]
California
Homeownership

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